ENGLISH
A band from Florence, Campo di Marte were another of those band that despite a good recording deal with a major company (that incidentally was the only effort by United Artists to produce an italian prog group), only released an album and disappeared. The group was formed in 1971 by guitarist Enrico Rosa and drummer/flutist Mauro Sarti, that had previously played with minor groups like Senso Unico and La Verde Stagione, along with american-born bass player Richard Ursillo (named Paul Richard in the LP cover notes as it "sounded less italian"). Keyboardist Alfredo "Carlo" Barducci was a trained french horn player, and the large number of instruments played gave the new group the chance to mix classical inspired rock music with various influences obtaining a rich and varied sound. A fifth member was added with drummer Carlo Felice Marcovecchio, that had previously played with another very popular group from Florence, I Califfi, and the presence of a second drummer left Sarti the freedom to play the flute in many tracks. Good and very varied Album. Each track on this album has a style of its own. It opens with "Primo Tempo" and this is not too far from heavy progressive with it's heavy riffs, but the vocal parts are very lyric and there's also some nice flute in the middle. "Secondo Tempo" is a excellent and relaxed instrumental with flute and some great use of French horn. "Terzo Tempo" is typical Italian prog. "Quarto Tempo" is a instrumental track with some very classical influenced organ, but the track turns into a theme from "Terzo..". Favourite track on the album is "Quinto Tempo". An almost medieval track, and when the mellotron begins...ohh, so good. "Sesto Tempo" is a more rhythmic orientated track with more French horn. "Settimo Tempo" ends the album very well with lots of atmospheric flute relived by more rocking parts.
An amazing, and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED album.
(italianprogrock.com)